A Young African’s Disillusionment.
Dear Mr. Macron,
I write to you as a young African, reflecting on the chasm between the promise of your leadership and the reality of your presidency. Once heralded as a progressive voice for global diplomacy, your tenure has instead exposed a pattern of arrogance, ineptitude, and an alarming disregard for the complexities of modern international relations.
AfricaHeadline Reports Team
editorial@africaheadline.com
Far from the dynamic leader many had hoped for, you have become a symbol of outdated approaches, tone-deaf policies, and missed opportunities. Your actions, or lack thereof, speak louder than your lofty rhetoric, casting a shadow over France’s global standing and further alienating those who once looked to you for meaningful engagement.
When you were elected, you were seen as a harbinger of change. Many believed you would reset the relationship between France and Africa, steering it away from its colonial past towards a partnership based on mutual respect and shared aspirations.
Yet, your tenure has revealed a disappointing continuity with the very policies many hoped you would abandon. From your patronising comments about African women “having too many children” to your defence of the CFA franc—a relic of colonial exploitation—you have consistently demonstrated a failure to grasp the aspirations of modern Africa.
Mr. Macron, your struggles are not confined to Africa. On the global stage, your attempts at diplomacy have often ended in embarrassment.
Your efforts to mediate the Ukraine conflict, for instance, have been met with scorn. Your widely publicised meetings with Vladimir Putin did little to prevent the Russian invasion or secure any meaningful concessions. Instead, they left an enduring image of you seated at an infamously long table, a symbol of your isolation and lack of influence.
Putin’s dismissive attitude during these exchanges further underscored your diminished standing, as he used the platform to project his strength while sidelining your appeals for compromise.
Your interactions with Donald Trump were equally humiliating. Whether it was the former US President mocking your proposals for European defence or his infamous handshake dominance during summits, you consistently appeared outmatched and unprepared. Trump’s public derision of France’s military capabilities only added insult to injury, leaving you struggling to salvage your credibility.
Even within Europe, you have found yourself increasingly marginalised. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have pursued their agendas with little regard for your input, highlighting your failure to lead or unite the European Union during critical moments, such as the energy crisis.
Your most glaring failures, however, lie in Africa. Once considered a key ally, France is now seen as an overbearing presence, unwilling to let go of its colonial legacy. Protests in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have vividly illustrated the growing rejection of French influence. The sight of Russian and Chinese flags in these demonstrations is a stark indictment of how far Paris has fallen in the eyes of Africans.
Your defence of the CFA franc, despite its widespread criticism as a tool of economic subjugation, epitomises your tone-deaf approach. While African nations increasingly demand economic sovereignty, you cling to outdated mechanisms that serve French interests at their expense.
The recurring theme throughout your presidency is a lack of credibility. Your lofty speeches often fail to translate into meaningful action, and your condescending tone alienates rather than inspires.
A true leader recognises the winds of change and adapts accordingly. Instead, you remain anchored in the past, clinging to outdated hierarchies and dismissing calls for reform.
Mr. Macron, Africa is forging ahead, charting its own course with or without France. The youth of this continent are determined to build a future that reflects their ambitions, free from the paternalism and outdated attitudes you so frequently embody.
In history books, your name may not be remembered as a visionary or bridge-builder. Instead, it will stand as a cautionary tale—a reminder of what happens when leaders fail to listen, to adapt, and to respect the dignity of others.
The future belongs to those who embrace progress and equality. Regrettably, Mr. Macron, it is clear that this future does not include you.
Sincerely,
A Young African Advocate for Justice and Dignity
